Thailand, China agree to deepen military ties

BANGKOK, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Thailand and China agreed here Friday to deepen military relations between the two countries.

The agreement came after Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha met with Xu Qiliang, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut thanked China for its selfless assistance to his country and spoke highly of the China-proposed one belt and one road initiative.

The prime minister believed that the railway project to be constructed in Thailand will become a new symbol of the friendship between the two countries.

Prayuth welcomed China's participation in the building of special economic zones in Thailand, hoping the two sides will deepen cooperation in agriculture, tourism and defense industry.

He also hoped that the two sides will boost the pragmatic cooperation in joint military exercises and joint training in a bid to push forward the military ties between the two countries.

For his part, Xu said China and Thailand should work together to deepen cooperation in all fields.

The implementation of the one belt and one road initiative, which refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, will push forward the development of strategies of those countries along the belt and the road, boost peace, stability and common development in the region, Xu noted.

China will join hands with Thailand to enrich the contents of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, strengthen exchange and cooperation in the sectors of joint military exercises and joint training, military medicine, arms equipment and technology, multilateral security and fighting against terrorism, Xu added.

Also on Friday, Thai Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwon met with Xu and the two exchanged views on the bilateral military ties, security situation in the region and the issues of common concern.